10 . ITINERARY BUILDER | Never the same. Always San Francisco. NEVER THE SAME. ALWAYS SAN FRANCISCO. CONTINUED City Lights Bookstore California Academy of Sciences Union Square PIER 39 Castro District A DAY OF FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES THAT APPEAL TO KIDS AND PARENTS. MORNING A DAY OF LGBTQ CULTURE SAN FRANCISCO IS A WORLD CAPITAL FOR LGBTQ CULTURE. MORNING A ONE-DAY SHOPPING SPREE SAN FRANCISCO FEATURES SOME OF THE BEST SHOPPING THE NATION HAS TO OFFER. MORNING AFTERNOON AFTERNOON For some Disney-style fun, the Presidio features a 40,000-square-foot museum celebrating the life, art and imagination of famed animator Walt Disney. Favorite exhibits at The Walt Disney Family Museum include a 13-foot model of Disneyland and a Fantasia -themed theater that screens Disney classics six days a week. In the late afternoon, families can head to the Exploratorium. Located on Pier 15, this interactive museum blends hands-on activities that will delight younger visitors with thought-provoking exhibits that will keep parents engaged, too. EVENING AFTERNOON Visitors can head over to the GLBT History Museum. Affectionately known as the “Queer Smithsonian,” this archive is the first of its kind in the United States. Run by the GLBT Historical Society, the museum houses dynamic exhibits and hosts programs exploring a variety of topics. Leave an hour or so to browse the aisles of Cliff’s Variety, a Castro favorite since 1938. EVENING On Pier 39, families will enjoy watching the popular colony of sea lions with stunning waterfront views at sunset. There are also dozens of shops, restaurants and attractions including the Aquarium of the Bay. Or recommend an early evening tour of the bay departing from here as well. Travelers can catch a performance of the renowned San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. The world’s first openly gay men’s chorus blends a season of local performances with ongoing social and political activism. Afterwards, LGBTQ visitors can discover the vibrant nightlife and popular clubs in the Castro district. Travelers looking for one-of-a-kind items will love the unique shops and chic boutiques in North Beach. Browse the aisles of City Lights Booksellers and Publishers, founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin. It is a mecca for booklovers all over the world. A few blocks away on upper Grant Avenue visit Schein & Schein which is stocked with map collectibles from $5 to $5,000; located just three blocks from Coit Tower, they also offer items in their gift shop. For an abundance of apparel and gifts made in San Francisco, recommend SFMade. Their website is an exhaustive guide to more than 500 San Francisco-based manufacturers ranging from Rickshaw Bags in the Mission District to 3 Fish Studios in the Outer Sunset. EVENING With more than 200 stores and restaurants — including luxury retailers such as Kate Spade, Tiffany & Co. and Michael Kors — Westfield San Francisco Centre truly offers something for everyone. After a full day of shopping, travelers can rest their feet and catch a movie at the theater. sftravel.com FROM TOP: instagram.com/bearmeetsrabbit; © California Academy of Sciences; iStock; © Louis Raphael Families can start their day in Golden Gate Park at the California Academy of Sciences. This massive, one-of-a-kind institution houses an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and four-story tropical rainforest all under one living roof that’s covered by 1.7 million native plants. Their Academy Café and The Terrace restaurant feature plenty of kid-friendly options, so lunch can be enjoyed without leaving the museum. Recommend kicking off the day with brunch and a morning stroll through the Castro District that has proudly dubbed itself the “Gayest Place on Earth.” Home to myriad businesses catering to the LGBTQ community, local landmarks include the historic Castro Theatre, Pink Triangle Park and Harvey Milk Plaza. For a more informed view of the community, opt for one of the many walking tours offered including FOOT! Fun Walking Tours’ “Come Out to the Castro.” Union Square is a shopper’s paradise and a great place to commence a full day of shopping. It’s home to big-name stores such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Uniqlo and Bloomingdale’s as well as well-known local stores including Gump’s, Brooks and Tourbillon Boutique. Visitors can also enjoy one of the outdoor cafes on Maiden Lane for brunch and people watching.
San Francisco Travel Planner's Guide 2017: Page 10
